A death in Vilappilsala that the local police investigated and termed an accidental death nearly two years ago was a murder, a Crime Branch probe has revealed.
According to M. Radhakrishnan Nair, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Stats, Organised Crime Wing), Crime Branch, Shyji, 26, wife of Manikandan of Padavancode in Vilappilsala, was admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital here with serious burns on September 26, 2013.
Investigations by the Vilappilsala police stated that Shyji sustained the burns after a kerosene lamp accidentally fell on her clothes while cooking.
The police submitted a final report before the Kattakkada court in March 2014, stating the same.
However, with Shyji’s mother Ambili submitting a petition before the Home Minister, the Crime Branch took over the probe.
It was revealed during the probe that Manikandan had an illicit affair with another woman, and on the day of the incident, Shyji had answered a call on her husband’s phone from this woman, leading to an argument between them.
Manikandan learned about the incident and allegedly thrashed her.
After this, Shyji reportedly doused herself with kerosene but later decided against it thinking about her child.
But Manikandan, who was in an inebriated condition, is said to have lit a match and thrown it on her.
